Assessments

How do I assess student learning?
I assess student learning in a variety of different ways. Some assessments are simple while others are more complex. Some simple assessments include teacher observation and questioning, class discussions, quizzes, K-W-L charts or organizers. More complex assignments include lab write ups, tests, and projects. For this module I created a blog. I will probably grade the students on their effort. This would include students providing an entry that showed research was used. Students should have also included several ways to conserve their resource. I would also like for the students to critique each other by having the students respond to at least one other blog written by a classmate.


How do I involve students in the assessment process?
I let students know how they will be assessed before they ever complete a project. I will show and review with them the rubrics that will be used for grading. In some activities I have students personally reflect on their work as part of their assessment. With this blog assignment I am having the students critique each others blogs. They will need to comment on at least one other classmates blog.

By doing this blog, students will be able to share information and opinions in a quick and concise manner. I think the kids will enjoy blogging as it is similar to things they already like to do like Facebook or Myspace. I believe this really brings education into the 21st century.

Internet Blog

The Internet is such a great tool for student learning when used correctly. I use the Internet now in my classes mainly for research purposes. I also use the Internet for my Edline page which I update regularly with links and information for both students and parents. My textbook offers online virtual labs which we sometimes utilize during class.

When I give an assignment that uses the Internet I really try to guide the students use of the Internet. I normally give the students the websites I only want them to search. Sometimes I find a great educational website that has great links to kid friendly sites that I instruct my students to use. (www.sciencespot.net has a great assortment of links for science teachers and kids)

At this point, I am going to offer my students the option of creating a newsletter or Photo story for their final project. I am going to try tackling the Photostory in class Tuesday. I have never really used this program before, so I am excited about seeing what I can accomplish with it. I also hope to use Open Mind to help organize thoughts for this project.

Curriculum Framing Questions

Who doesn’t love Dr. Seuss? Students will use the beloved Dr. Seuss book, The Lorax, to explore renewable and nonrenewable resources as well as the effects of pollution. Students will investigate the cause and effect relationships that happen daily in the environment around them. At the end of this unit students will have the opportunity to create a newsletter. The newsletter will show how pollution and other human factors have affected renewable and nonrenewable resources in the world and even in their community.

Essential Question: How does change impact our lives?

Unit Questions: What effect can you have on the environment?
How can change affect an ecosystem?
What impact do humans have on an environment?

Content Questions: What are some examples of renewable and nonrenewable resources?
What are different types of pollution?
What are ways we can conserve our resources?

Intel Class

I have enjoyed the Intel class so far. I found our last meeting to be the most beneficial. I learned more about creating meaningful essential questions. I feel I now have a better understanding of the importance of these questions to anchor student learning. I also enjoyed working with Microsoft Publisher. Although I have used this program before, I have not used it to create a brochure for parents. Therefore, I created a brochure to give to parents and students to introduce the 4th 9 weeks. I think parents will appreciate this form of communication that is concise, visually appealing, and easy to read. I can't wait to see the other neat things we will learn about and hopefully incorporate them into my unit plan.